Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

UNLIMITED-AIRCRAFT TACTICS 301
be mentioned is the increased probability of detection inherent to a
weapons firing. It is very desirable for the single fighter to be well positioned
for escape at the moment of attack.
Every day kill just one, rather than today five, tomorrow ten . . . that is
enough for you. Then your nerves are calm and you can sleep good, you have
your drink in the evening and the next morning you are fit again.
Colonel Erich "Bubi" Hartmann, GAP
When attacking bombers it may be necessary to destroy as many as
possible during each intercept. In this case the sequential attacks discussed
in the one-versus-two section of Chapter 5 may be justified. Consideration,
however, should be given to the effects of an attack on even one
member of an enemy formation. Such an attack, even if it is unsuccessful,
may accomplish the attacker's purpose by breaking up the bomber formation,
inducing the enemy pilots to jettison their bombs or abort their
mission, etc. When attacking hostile fighters, the single pilot generally
should try to control his greed, settle for one victim per pass, and leave
some bogeys for his buddies.
Bogeys detected at short range in the forward hemisphere can be attacked
if the target appears not to be aware of the fighter's presence, and if
the attack can be made without continuous turns of greater than about 90°.
The singleton pilot should continuously plan for and assess his chances of
escape during an attack. The attack should be broken off as soon as escape
avenues appear to be closing or if the target performs an effective defensive
maneuver. Prolonged offensive engagement should be avoided.
Turn to kill, not to engage.
Commander William P. "Willie" Driscoll, USNR
Enemy fighters that appear to be maneuvering offensively or defensively
against the single are candidates only for all-aspect missiles or gun
snapshots. The pilot of the single fighter should neutralize any forwardhemisphere
threat by turning hard into the attack to create a head-on pass
with minimum flight-path separation. Depending on the bogeys' speed,
weapons, and turn rate, the singleton may then be able simply to continue
straight ahead and leave the threat in the dust. Extension distances can be
increased if necessary by turning slightly in the nose-to-tail direction after
the pass. If the bogey is missile equipped, a dive to low altitude is generally
called for to reduce the enemy's maximum firing range. Faster bogeys
should be watched carefully during an extension to observe their reaction.
The fighter pilot must still consider himself defensive when he is being
pursued by faster aircraft.
Fuel state is extremely critical to single-plane operations. Sufficient
reserve must be retained for a maximum-speed bugout to friendly airspace
at whatever altitude is likely to be required. The pilot of the single fighter
must also allow for the possibility of having to fight his way out by
defending against hostile fighters, SAMs, etc. Afterburning jet fighters at
low altitude can consume an incredible amount of fuel, so prudent
penetrations of hostile airspace can be severely limited. In fact, under